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How to Write Sympathy Thank You Cards

What is the etiquette for acknowledging sympathy? In the aftermath of the loss of a loved one, there is a lot to do: gather belongings; plan a funeral, burial or other memorial; settle the estate; attend to health bills and other paperwork; and most of all….grieve. Others around you may express kindness and sympathy toward you. These outpourings of love and concern — through sending flowers, attending a service, mailing sympathy cards and other acts of kindness — may help soften the grief a bit. What are the best ways to respond to these tender outpourings of solidarity and love? Here are the Dos and Don’ts for writing sympathy thank you notes.

Do keep track of who sent what

If someone sent flowers, write a description of them on the accompanying card and keep those in a centralized location — even a shoebox or paper bag will do — so you don’t lose track of them in the whirl of paperwork. In the same way, place sympathy cards, inside their envelopes with the return address, in a similar receptacle. If you like, write on the envelopes whether there is an extensive, personal letter that should be responded to later.

Don’t feel obliged to respond right away

Give yourself time to grieve. You can respond in several weeks or months.

Sympathy Notes from Gifts in 24.

Do order pre-printed cards if you need to respond to many people

If the sympathy notes are pouring in by the dozens or hundreds, it’s entirely appropriate to order acknowlegement stationery, as you see in the samples in this blog. Typically, these are folded notes, inside of which you should sign your name. According to Peggy Post, author of Emily Post’s Etiquette, to those sending extensive letters, or those who are close to the family or loved one, or who have sent mass cards, flowers or other tokens, do write a few lines or more acknowleding their kindness, along with your signature.

Don’t hand write a message to everyone

But not everyone needs to receive a handwritten message inside the card, according to Post. For those who are not particularly close to the family or deceased and simply signed their names in a commercial sympathy card, it’s entirely appropriate to simply sign your name in the acknowledgment card.

Sympathy note from Gifts in 24

Do be specific in your sympathy thank you note

Thank them for the flowers, helping with the ceremony, sharing a beautiful memory, etc. In other words, be specific. You can be direct and brief, but the specificity is important: “Thank you for the beautiful flowers.” “Thank you for the wonderful stories you shared in your card.”

Sympathy note from Gifts in 24

See our collection of pre-printed sympathy thank you cards. Printed on double-thick paper with precision printing techniques, they are a step above what you can typically find through a funeral home.

What to Say in a Business Thank-you Note

Face-to-face time can feel like a luxury in our plugged-in, 24/7, global work environment. Many of us work virtually in a way that embodies the modern, global, tech-fueled workforce. So when we take the time to attend a networking event, take a client out to lunch or hold a brainstorming meeting, how can we use those in-person events to forge stronger working relationships? One way is to acknowledge the other person’s time with a business thank-you note. It may sound quaint, but it’s one of the most powerful ways to follow up with work colleagues and let them know that we value their efforts.

Writing an effective business thank-you note doesn't take long, but it can pay off in stronger working relationships.

Here are some tips and tricks for writing a business thank-you note for just about any work meeting or event.

A job interview

No matter if you walked away loving the job even more, or if you’ve concluded it’s not for you, thank the person who interviewed you for their time. Let them know you enjoyed the conversation and learned a lot — perhaps list one or two things: “I enjoyed learning about the new editorial process you’re planning.” If you want the job, this is also a chance to reiterate one or two reasons why the job is a terrific match for your skills. Close strongly by telling them you really want it.

A productive meeting

Always be sure to write up minutes, highlights or action lists so that the meeting team’s work can be captured and shared, and that any action items get assigned and followed up on. When sending that summary, thank attendees for their time and for sharing their insights. Remind the attendees of the ultimate goal of the project and let them know their work will help achieve it.

A business lunch

If you’re the client, and your vendor took you out to lunch, write a brief thank-you note: “Thanks again, Elaine, for lunch. We made a lot of headway. I think your work will help us meet our deadline.”

Learn how to write an effective business thank-you note for just about any event or occasion.

A networking event

Networking events and mixers can sometimes bring you home with a pocket full of business cards and lots of new energy and ideas. It’s not necessary to thank speakers and panelists (unless you actually organized the event), unless you specifically would like to connect with them on a business idea or to continue the conversation. As to the other attendees, look back at the evening and think about who you’d like to stay in touch with. Inviting them to connect via LinkedIn is very effective. Or try a quick email, or a folded note with your business card tucked in. “It was so fun getting to know you at the Chamber of Commerce event Tuesday evening. Good luck with your business expansion. Here’s that PR firm I mentioned to you. I’ve had good results with them. I’d love to take you up on the offer to grab some coffee in the next month to brainstorm branding ideas for my new company. Let’s make a date soon.”

A business referral

Did someone refer a new client or customer to you? That’s pure gold. Don’t hesitate to write a thank-you note. Word of mouth marketing is powerful, indeed. Your prompt and warm acknowledgment may help encourage more future referrals as well.

End-of-year holidays

The end of the year is the perfect time to thank people — coworkers, clients, bosses and other work colleagues — for a rewarding and successful year together. A simple “Thank you for a wonderful year — we hit it out of the park,” can do wonders. If you want to get specific and point to certain achievements or projects the person worked on that caught your notice, that’s effective too.

Learn how to write a business thank-you note.

For some of these situations, an email or text might be sufficient. But if you really want to knock their socks off, use beautifully crafted business stationery, with your name, title, company and address. Here are two of our favorites.

Your Logo Folding Note – Raised Ink. Print your company logo, personal artwork or design in one of our 11 raised ink colors. A classic look featuring your design on thick, folded notes and color-matched envelopes

Your Logo Knightsbridge Frame Note – Embossed. Boost your professional image with an elegant embossed border on double-thick paper at a price that fits your budget. Choose an optional return address or hand-inserted envelope lining paper to create impressive stationery.

Easy & Efficient Wedding Thank You Cards & Templates

For some people, writing wedding thank you cards feels intimidating. Especially if you have a large wedding with lots of guests, the task of writing dozens or even hundreds of thank you notes can Freak. You. Out.

It’s easy to procrastinate. There are several steps: Choosing the right stationery. Locating mailing addresses. Buying the stamps. Crafting the perfect message of gratitude to everyone.  Any one of these can trip you up. But it’s that last step, writing a warm and gracious message, that seems the most difficult.

We know you feel gratitude in your heart. That is not up for debate. It’s the worry that you won’t be able to express your gratitude in an eloquent and mindful way that’s stopping you. Plus, your handwriting! Will anyone be able to read it? It can feel like a lot of pressure.

Wedding thank you notes

Rosedale Monogram Note features your couple’s monogram and your name.

We feel you! And we are also here to say that with a bit of planning and an easy template to follow, you can crank out those wedding thank you cards in no time. Here is the who, what, when and how of thank you card writing etiquette, plus templates for writing the most common types of messages.

Who

Be sure to thank …

  • Guests who came to your wedding, including parents who helped pay for the wedding and your wedding party.
  • People who gave you a gift (If you received a group gift from people who don’t live with one another, write separate wedding thank you cards to each person in the group)
  • Anyone who helped with the wedding planning or day-of festivities
  • Wedding planners and vendors

What

Be sure to write…

  • An acknowledgement of their presence or absence at the wedding
  • What you intend to do with or how you will enjoy the gift
  • A warm sentence of gratitude for their friendship and love
  • Most importantly, don’t have to reinvent the wheel with your wedding thank you cards, especially if you have hundreds to write. If you come up with a nice turn of phrase that you like (“Sheila and I so appreciate the generous check you sent, and we look forward to using it as a down payment on our home.”), then by all means, reuse it. The most important thing is to convey sincere gratitude and warmth.
  • See our sample wedding thank you note templates below.

When

Be sure to send it…

  • Optimally, within 2 weeks after receiving a gift. If you receive gifts before the wedding, it’s fine to send thank you notes before the event.
  • At most, within 3 months of the wedding.

How

Be sure to get the right tools…

  • Keep a detailed gift log that lists the gift, giver, date received and whether you’ve sent the thank you note. This will help tremendously in sending out thank you notes.
  • Use a nice pen that flows easily and doesn’t smear or leak. Give the pen a practice run before you write.
  • Folded notes are perfect for wedding thank you cards. The style doesn’t have to be an exact match of your invitations, but can reflect their general flavor. Write on the inside bottom section of a folded note, and if you need more space, move to the inside top.
Impression Note from Gifts In 24

Impression Oversized Note ships in 1 business day.

Many Giftsin24 folded notes can accommodate more than one name. Here are some of our favorites:

Colonial Note    A crowd favorite, the Colonial Note offers a choice of lettering style and ink color, plus two borders that give it distinction.

Infinity Note   This folded note offers an elegant gold foil design and several lettering styles that can appeal to both of you.

One-Line Note  Offering a cool, “Mad men” vibe, this embossed note channels a Mid-Century Modern feel.

Montevideo Note  Impress your family and friends with this exuberantly styled lettering style in a choice of raised-ink color.

Impression Note  This is our go-to couple’s note, offering plenty of room for two names in raised ink on the front and lots of room to write inside of this oversized folded note.

La Tour Note Couples with room in their budgets can splurge on luxury notes from our Silver Leaf Collection. La Tour features an elegant gold edge with rounded corners.

Templates for Wedding Thank You Cards

For a wedding guest who gave a gift:

Dear Melanie, Thank you so much for attending our wedding! We were so happy to be able to connect with you and be surrounded by all our friends and family on this most special day. Your gift was so very generous! Anthony and I will put it to great use as part of the down payment on our condo. With great appreciation and love, Sam and Esperanza

For a person who gave a gift but did not attend the wedding:

Dear Uncle Van, We missed you at the wedding, but completely understand that it’s a long ways to travel. Thank you so much for your very generous gift of the bread maker. It was so sweet of you to think of us on our special day. Every time we make fresh homemade bread, we will think of you! We love you, Susan and Todd

For a person that attended the wedding but did not give a gift:

Dear Aunt Martha, Thank you so much for coming all the way from California to be at our wedding. It meant so much that you were there to be with us on this most special day! Our family reunion photo wouldn’t have been the same without you. We’ve enclosed a photo of you dancing with Dad — you can tell you are brother and sister because you have the same dance moves! With great love, Melanie and Reggie

Looking for more wedding thank you note card ideas? See all of our beautiful folded notes here.

Luxury wedding thank you notes from giftsin24.com
Silver Leaf Luxury Collection, clockwise from top left: Juniper Note, La Tour Note, Bel Amour Note & Hawthorn Note.

Writing Tip: Affect vs. Effect

Affect versus effect: what's the differenceWhat’s the difference between the words “Affect” and “Effect”? Have you ever scurried to the dictionary to find out while writing a letter, email, resume, job interview thank you, etc.?

The Answer Is…

“Affect” is generally used as a verb: it means to influence or have an impact on, or to move, touch or make an impression on.

“Going without my morning cup of coffee affects my energy level for the rest of the day.”

“That compelling movie really affected me.”

On the other hand, we usually use the word “Effect”as a noun: it means a consequence or result of some cause.

“Your effect on me is electric.”

The upshot? When pondering which word to use — Affect or Effect — try to remember this nmemonic:

The cause creates THE E-ffect.

Remember that long E sound of the, leading into the long E sound of effect. “Effect” is a noun.

And then from there, you can remember that “Affect” is a verb.

Editor’s Note: Of course, when we’re talking grammar, there are always exceptions to the rules.  We list them here only because they’re interesting, but you don’t need to remember these, because they are very rarely used. There are some very rare occasions when we use “Affect” as a noun, but it is usually in the jargon/language of psychology and not in general conversation.  By the same token, you can sometimes use “Effect” as a verb, but it can sound stilted and not very conversational, so we usually avoid this use: “We effected change by following five key steps.”

One Stamp, Lots of Love

Giftsin24 cards take just a single first class stamp.

Part of the fun of sending a letter is finding beautiful stamps for the envelope. Stationery from giftsin24 takes just a single first class stamp.

How much does it cost to send one of our cards or notes to a friend? Just the care and time to write it, plus one single first class stamp.

A Giftsin24 card or note, including the envelope, weighs about one ounce. Sending one through the United States Postal Service (USPS) requires just a single stamp (standard first class postage).

To keep things even more simple, purchase a sheet of “Forever” stamps at the post office, and you won’t have to worry about adding make-up postage when the rates change in a year or two.

In addition, our cards and notes, including our oversized Cheseapeake line, fit within USPS maximum dimensions for standard first class postage.

One Exception

The one exception is our Gift Enclosures, which measure less than the 3.5 inch by 5 inch minimum dimensions that the USPS requires. If you try to send a Gift Enclosure through the mail system, it will be rejected. Learn more here.

See USPS’s handy postage calculator for domestic and international letters: http://postcalc.usps.gov

Looking for Giftsin24 shipping rates and delivery information? Please visit this page: http://www.giftsin24.com/content/help-shipping

Thank a Teacher, Teach a Thanker

Writing tips for teacher thank you notes

It’s that time of year to thank the teachers in your life, whether you’re 2 or 92.

Everyone has a teacher to thank, whether you’re 2 or 92. If you’re learning how to read, trying to code a video game, or are working on your guitar fingering, teachers are right there along with you, guiding you, cheering you on and encouraging you to work through mistakes.

One of the best ways to acknowledge a teacher’s value in your life is by writing him or her a thank you note, according to the National PTA. And writing a thank you note to a teacher is one of the best ways to teach a child how to show gratitude. Here are 3 tips to writing the perfect thank you note to a teacher.

Three Writing Tips

1. Be thankful. This is a thank you note, and so say it ! “Thank you for all your hard work with me this year.” “Thank you for helping me be the best I can be.” You get the picture.

2. Be specific. If you can point to a specific example or time that the teacher helped you, you’ll make the note become more personal and all the more treasured.  “I am so relieved that I know fractions now.” “The way you encouraged me to work on my fingering has given me more confidence than I ever imagined I could have.”

3. Be expansive. Teachers have dedicated their lives to making the world a better place. Wax poetic about their importance to you, your school or the world at large. You can never compliment a teacher too much.

Writing Tips: Serial Comma Conundrum

Writing tips from giftsin24.com

When should you use a comma when listing nouns or verbs?

Recently at Giftsin24.com, a bunch of us were talking about whether or not to use the comma before the “and” when you write a sentence that includes a series of nouns or verbs. That’s called a “serial comma.”

For example, do you write “Melanie, Anthony and Esther went to the store.”?

Or “Melanie, Anthony, and Esther went to the store.”?

When it comes down to it, it’s a matter of style. There are many style manuals out there, but the two most used in publishing are the AP Manual of Style (used in journalism and newspapers) and The Chicago Manual of Style (used in book publishing).

Leave serial comma out unless there’s confusion

The AP Manual of Style does not recommend routinely using the extra comma before the “and.”

Exceptions where you might use it are in situations where the meaning would be confusing, such as this:

“Last week I cooked my favorite recipes: pepperoni pizza, orange chicken and wild rice and seared steak.”

Is the rice part of the chicken dish or the steak dish? Hmmm. In this case the writer should help readers out by using a comma before the “and.”

Keep things simply by being consistent

Because we live in an imperfect world, The Chicago Manual of Style encourages the consistent use of the comma before the “and.” You don’t have to think about it; simply always use it and there will never be confusion.

So there you have it: serial commas made easy. Pick your style and stick with it. You’ll never go wrong!

It’s vs. Its: An Easy Way to Remember The Difference

It's vs. its

You may be years out of high school and don’t have a teacher grading your writing anymore, but do you know that work colleagues, business clients and even friends may be secretly judging you by your grammar? And while most friends won’t drop you because you make an occasional grammar slip, potential employers or clients just might toss your resume or sales letter.

One of the most common grammar mistakes is using “it’s” in place of “its.” Here is a quick run-down on how and when to use these commonly mixed-up words.

It’s a contraction

“It’s” is a contraction that means “it is.” The apostrophe replaces the space and the missing letter/s of the second word…just as the apostrophe replaces the missing letters in “can’t” (can not) and “don’t”  (do not).

Example: It is a fine day. It’s a fine day.

Its definition is easy to remember

On the other hand, “its” is the possessive form of the word “it.” We add an “s” to the ends of words to indicate that something belongs to someone or something else: hers, his, theirs, ours, etc.

Example: That shoe is hers. The cat licked its paws.

The confusion arises because we attach ” ‘s ” to names and nouns to make them possessive. “Deanne’s shoes are clean.” “The cat’s paws are dirty.”

It’s  (it is) so tempting to add an apostrophe to “Its paws are dirty.” But don’t!

So the next time you write the three little letters i-t-s, think before you add that apostrophe before the s.

If it’s a contraction, meaning “it is” or “it has,” include the apostrophe.

If its meaning is possessive, then leave it out.

Want more writing tips? Check out our other blogs on grammar, thank you note writing and more.

Looking for personalized stationery? Check out our best-selling personalized thank you notes.

Personalized folded notes from Gifts in 24.
Gifts in 24 ships precision-crafted, personalized stationery in one business day.

Holiday Thank You Notes

Your children have opened their carefully wrapped presents. The evidence is everywhere . . . ribbons and bows are strewn across the floor. Crumpled tissue paper explodes out of boxes.

The merriment of the holiday is winding down to everyday life again. Now comes a teachable moment that will last your children a lifetime: thanking the generous friends and family in their lives.

Teaching children from a young age that it’s important to express their gratitude helps lay the groundwork for thoughtfulness and appreciation. Not only will they learn the importance of courtesy, they will be developing their communication skills as well.

Holiday Thank You Note How-Tos

Here are a few helpful hints to make the “chore” of writing holiday thank you notes both fun and rewarding:

• Set aside a specific time to sit down with your children and help them with their thank you notes to Grandma and Grandpa. Find a comfortable, well-lit place to relax and settle in. This helps them focus on the task at hand and avoid distractions. It’s no fun to have to nag or rush!

• Have the writing paper and envelopes, pens, markers, stickers and stamps ready and available. Kids will especially love being able to write thank yous on their very own stationery.

• If your child is still very young, you may need to be the designated writer; however, even young children can print their name or draw a picture to accompany the words you supply. Children will enjoy embellishing the note with their own stickers and drawings.

Children will love writing holiday thank you notes on their very own stationery!

Children will love writing holiday thank you notes on their very own stationery!

• Be sincere. You want your kids to be authentic. Even if the gift wasn’t something they love, encourage them to thank the giver in genuine appreciation: “It must have taken you a long time to knit the sweater for me. Thank you!”

• Do it sooner rather than later. The longer you wait, the less enthusiastic your child will be and the easier it will be to let the good intentions evaporate.

• But do it later, too! Wouldn’t it be fun to make someone’s day by sending them a brief note, long after the holidays, reminding them of their gift and how it’s still being appreciated? “Remember that blue shirt you gave me for Christmas? Here’s a picture of me wearing it when we went to Disneyland.”

• Teach them how to fold the letter or card and tuck it into the envelope. Attach the stamp. Take a special trip to the post office to drop it into the slot. Children will enjoy personally sending their note off to its destination.

Finally, praise your child for their time and effort in writing a thank you. Explain to them how happy their note will make Grandpa or Aunt Ellen. In newspaper advice columns across the country, people are lamenting that they haven’t received thank you notes. But it doesn’t have to be a dying art. If you teach your children the joy of writing at an early age, they’ll continue it throughout their life . . . and it will help them maintain strong relationships that we all know are the key to happiness in life.

How to Write a Get Well Soon Message

Tips for writing a good get well soon messageThroughout our lives people we love get hurt or sick. A handwritten note expressing our concern and wishes for recovery will mean so much to the recipient. It shows that we’re thinking about them and we’ve taken the time to let them know. Writing a get well soon message is not complicated.

5 Tips

• Be positive and upbeat. This is not a formal letter, so express yourself naturally.
• If the letter is going to a friend or family member, you could bring up something that you both experienced or shared. This will make your message more personal.
• Let them know you miss them, and perhaps offer a specific example.
• A humorous anecdote or good news is always welcome and will lighten the mood.
• Reassure them of your support and assistance.

Dear Elizabeth,
I was so sorry to hear that you’ve been under the weather recently. I certainly hope that you’ll be back up and feeling like yourself again soon. We really miss your sense of humor around here at the office — not to mention your homemade cookies.
I hope that you’ll get plenty of rest and feel better soon. Please let me know if there’s anything at all that I can do for you to make things easier. I’d be happy to go to the grocery store or run an errand for you. Don’t hesitate to call me if there’s something I can do for you. Wishing you a speedy recovery!
Sincerely,

Don’t procrastinate — write your get well message in a timely manner. They’ll appreciate your sincere and genuine interest in their well-being.

Writing a heartfelt get well message for someone, whether family, friend, colleague or co-worker, is a thoughtful and considerate gesture. They’ll greatly appreciate and remember your thoughtfulness.